TNABaddboi

Analysis from Keller, picked from the official TNA boards: That's pretty interesting....I wonder if TNA should consider using the old SNME booking strategy of putting the draw on before people get tired and tune out and the workrate match on last because they know the die-hards will stick around for it. I'm tempted to say yes, but then again, considering they are trying to lure UFC fans and not casuals, starting with the high-flying or hard hitting action instead of the names is probably for the best.

It just really hit me that TNA is back on tonight (I wonder how many other people that'll happen to and how it'll affect the rating), so I figured I'd go ahead and start the discussion for the show. Here's the official preview: It's kinda interesting that all tonight's matches are six-man tags. I guess that the price for only having an hour....they try to get more faces on the show with tags and mult-man matches. Either way, it's an interesting line-up. It doesn't have the obvious draws of Joe/Daniels and Sting like last week, but I'm interested in seeing what Spike Dudley (I refuse to call him Runt) can do since I can't even remember the last time I saw him work. Also, it's good that Christian's making an appearance in the arena. At this rate, it seems like Sting's in the Impact Zone more than Christian. Who woulda thought that three months ago? Any, here's hoping for a good show. Thoughts?

I haven't seen it in a while, so I don't have any direct quotes or know how well it stands up, but I remember really getting in JR's call of the HHH/Rock ladder match from Summerslam 98. As HHH clipped the ladder with the powder in his eyes and grabbed the belt, JR went ape shit about how he did on one legged and blinded....you'd have thought HHH just beat the entire roster.

Replay on Saturday did a 0.6 according to Mike Johnson, FYI

More info from Mike Johnson:

I think Thursday's show was one of the most balanced "first impression" TNA shows in a long time...this one had just about the perfect blend of names and "homegrown stars" and had something for the workrate fan, the tag team/brawl fan and the standard WWE-style fan with Sting and Eric Young's match. If they can somehow keep that kind of balance, I'd say they'd be in good shape.

that's pretty much true, because still, only smart fans know about TNA. The increase in ratings from FSN to Spike is because more the fans who already knew they existed can catch the show late night then during the afternoon. To grow to the type of numbers your talking about, TNA is going to have to do a much better job getting the word out. They're taking the right steps though, with the ad they took for Impact last week in the New York Post and the traveling they are starting to do.

Here's what he reported: I really like this move....I'd feel a lil' better about this if ICP was promoting it instead of Sadler, since the ICP show drew way better, but still, running that market on that weekend is a bold move for TNA and I fully support it. I wonder what the top matches will be....

Per PWI thoughts?

Per PWI: Thoughts?

Per PWI, which reported Impact's rating was "shattered" by the HoF: And per the Torch, which reported the rating was "solid" considering the competition: Thoughts?

New time change commercial: http://www.tnawrestling.com/impact/index.html I think they aired this the first time on last Saturday's show. IMO, it's one of the better commercials they've ever produced. It really stands out from most of the "a genesis is coming...dream come true" commercials they do whenever they get a new audience.

credit: PWInsider.com Looks like the ratings slump finally scared them out of the squashes, which is probably the best thing to happen to them. These shows look much better on paper than the last set of tapings and I like that they seem to be going all out for the Thursday debut. Samoa Joe and Daniels for the title should wow whatever new fans they find in the new slot....great "alternative" match. Thoughts?

Yeah, I'm pretty positive there was never an official annoucement. Like Astro said, this was a screw-up on Spike's website that was later corrected.

Because I'd enjoy it more if it was booked properly. As it stands, I think it'll kick ass because of the workers, not the booking, which was what I was complaining about.

Mike Johnson posted this: I gotta say it looks like TNA is really screwing the pooch again with LockDown this year. They've been building the 3D title win since October...how do they justify putting AMW in that pointless 8 man instead of ending a 6 month blood feud at the supposed "blowoff" ppv? I already said how stupid I thought it was for Christian and Abyss to be starting a feud at an all-cage PPV, no matter how much ass I think the feud will kick. Ditto Joe and Sabu. Joe should be ending his feud with AJ and Daniels here, THEN moving onto Sabu. Again, 6 months of building for nothing. After last year's show, we said if they didn't overexpose the cage, then this PPV could really mean something. And they didn't a great job setting up to be a big night, but as it stands, it looks like it'll be just another ppv. They might as well not even bother putting the cage up with those matches scheduled, because none of them deserve that gimmick. Thoughts?

Looks like you'll get your chance, BPS. Mike Johnson says they're already planning a return:

PWI is reporting the ratings for this show rebounded a bit, so some good came of it. Here's what Mike Johnson reported:

Well, here's the release: credit: PWI

Anyone know the capacity of the arenas they're running in Virginia? Coming off a pretty good draw in Detroit, it'll be interesting to see what kind of numbers they do here. I'm sure a sizeable chunk of Friday's crowd traveled to see TNA's first house show....will the 2nd and 3rd shows inspire that kind of effort?

That's good to know. IMO, the most immediately impact of this show and these VA shows coming up (and whatever other house shows they put on) is that it will help them figure out who's really over and how much. At the very least, if Jeff gets the boring chants on the road, they can't use the overexposed to Orlando excuse anymore...lol.

Thanks!

I bet they pull out all the stops on that show too in one last effort to impress Spike before the move to Thursdays. I think you can kinda already see some of that with them busting out the Six Sides of Steel next week.

Got any links?